American Chemistry Council Salutes World Water Day -- re>
ARLINGTON, Va., March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

American Chemistry Council Salutes World Water Day
Chlorine Chemistry Provides Safe Water, Delivered Safely

ARLINGTON, Va., March 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American
Chemistry Council's (ACC) Chlorine Chemistry Division marks World Water Day
today with a reminder that chlorine chemistry is essential to delivering
safe water to consumers.
"For nearly a century, chlorine disinfectants have helped protect
public health by destroying disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites
in drinking water," noted Robert J. Simon, Managing Director of the
Chlorine Chemistry Division. Addressing this year's World Water Day theme
"Coping with Water Scarcity," Simon added, "PVC water delivery pipes, made
with chlorine chemistry, help conserve precious water resources."
The vast majority of U.S. water systems that disinfect their drinking
water use some type of chlorine-based process, either alone or in
combination with other disinfectants. Before U.S. cities began treating
drinking water with chlorine -- starting with Chicago and Jersey City in
1908 -- cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and dysentery killed thousands
of U.S. residents annually.
The American Water Works Association stated in a 2003 report that some
2.2 trillion gallons of water are lost annually in the U.S., primarily as a
result of pipe corrosion leaks and breaks. While chlorine's role in helping
to disinfect drinking water is well-known, less recognized is the role of
chlorine chemistry in delivering water safely through the growing use of
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes. PVC pipes do not corrode like metal pipes,
so PVC pipes are less prone to failure than pipes constructed of other
materials, preventing leakage, and going a long way toward "coping with
water scarcity."
The Chlorine Chemistry Foundation, established by the Chlorine
Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council, works through
effective partnerships to increase sustainable access to safe drinking
water in underserved communities and areas ravaged by natural disasters.
http://www.americanchemistry.com/newsroom
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is committed to improving
environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R),
common sense advocacy, environmental research and product testing. The
business of chemistry is a $635 billion enterprise and a key element of the
U.S. economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for
ten cents of every dollar in exports. Chemistry companies are among the
largest investors in research and development, with their products
improving the quality of life for all people through essential advances in
public health, clean drinking water and new technologies.
The Chlorine Chemistry Division of the American Chemistry Council
represents major producers and users of chlorine in the United States. The
chlor-alkali industry contributes over $2 billion to the North American
economy annually and helps provide thousands of essential products,
including drinking water disinfectants, PVC pipe, 93 percent of all
pharmaceuticals, 25 percent of all medical plastics and 86 percent of crop
protection chemicals.
CONTACT:
Tiffany Harrington -- (703) 741-5583
Email: tiffany_harrington@americanchemistry.com